CLIMATE OF THE
ATACAMA

SOME IMPORTANT CLUES TO THE GENERAL
CLIMATE

COLOR

Here we see the blue of the ocean, the white of clouds
and many beautiful shades of earth tones (browns, grays,
blacks, and yellows). What we do not see is any hint of
green, the color of life. This is typical of an arid
region.

AIR
CLARITY

Up to three fourths of the Earth will be covered by some
cloudiness at any given time. Any place on Earth can have a
clear day sometimes, even Charleston. In the desert you get
a clear day every day. Here all of the clouds stop at the
shoreline. This is a pattern seen with many coastal
deserts.

SIGNS OF
WATER

The lack of blue lakes and active rivers with their
borders of green vegetation also show an area with little
active water.

TERRAIN

The many sharp features indicate a mountainous region.
Mountains tend to be dryer and cooler than lowlands.

Rare summer showers may happen near the mountains but the
desert plateau itself may receive no rain for decades at a time. The
only significant vegetation occurs at the scattered oases or at
places with artificial irrigation.

A dry land with almost no plants. Snow capped mountains
and dry clear air with only an occasional cloud.